Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Ashes

February 10, 2016

smudges on a fleshly canvas
mark the metanoian moment
with soot crucified in oil

The hope for those who fell;
a light for those who cannot see.
a hand that plumbs the deepest hell
to lift to heights of bended knee.

For the times when I did naught,
for false humility and pride,
for the things I’ve left undone,
for all the good unbegun,
when calloused, I refused to cry,
for the times when I forgot…

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
                on this heart

Ascending steps on winding stairs
upward facing toward the light
brooding visage in stark relief
a face obscured in primordial night.

For the times I did not care,
for the times I hid my eyes
pursing pleasure, avoiding pain,
denying love, embracing shame
refusing truth, believing lies,
and falling to the fowler’s snare…

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
                on us all

remembrance of a heart unturned:
broken, blackened, unforgiven
ashes, ashes we fall face down

(a meditation for Ash Wednesday)